Borinic compositions

ABSTRACT

A stabilized topical composition comprising a borinic acid derivative, e.g., a borinic ester.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 61/183,788, filed Jun. 3, 2009 and U.S. Provisional Application 61/183,792, also filed Jun. 3, 2009, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to antimicrobial compositions containing a borinic acid derivative, e.g. a borinic ester. In particular embodiments, the invention covers topical antimicrobial compositions, for example topical compositions for treating fungal or bacterial infections of the skin or nails, and oral compositions, for example dentifrice, for reducing bacteria in the mouth, e.g. for inhibiting and reducing plaque, gingivitis and dental caries.

Although some borinic esters are effective as antibacterial agents, incorporating borinic esters into oral care compositions presents difficulties, as borinic esters have proven to be unstable when added to aqueous compositions. For example, borinic esters may hydrolyze and decompose, e.g., in oral care compositions. Additionally, borinic esters may be insoluble in aqueous compositions. For example, the solubility of 3-hydroxypyridine-2-carbonyloxy-bis(3-chloro-4-methylphenyl)-borane in water is only 100 ppm, and its solubility in various oils may be less than 0.5%. There remains a need to develop compositions and methods to incorporate borinic acid derivatives stably in oral care compositions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to the surprising discovery that certain borinic esters are stable, soluble, and retain antimicrobial activity when incorporated into an topical or oral care composition, e.g., a topical pharmaceutical composition or a dentifrice or mouthwash.

In one embodiment, the borinic acid derivatives of the present invention are borinic esters, e.g. of formula A:

wherein R₁ and R₂ are the same or different (e.g. the same), and are selected from arylalkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, or heterocycle (e.g. substituted or unsubstituted aryl or heteroaryl, for example phenyl, chlorophenyl, methylphenyl, or methylchlorophenyl); and R₃ is heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylcarbonyl, or heteroarylalkylcarbonyl (e.g., substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, for example quinolinyl or hydroxypyridinylcarbonyl), in free or pharmaceutically acceptable salt form, in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. For example, in one embodiment R₁ and R₂ are the same and are both aryl, e.g., phenyl, chlorophenyl, methylphenyl, or methylchlorophenyl.

Heteroaryl is for example an aryl group containing 1, 2 or 3 nitrogen atoms, for example pyridinyl, quinolinyl, hydroxypyridinyl, or hydroxyquinolinol. Alkyl is for example C₁₋₄ alkyl. Substitutions are for example halogen, e.g., chloro or fluoro, hydroxy, or C₁₋₄ alkyl.

The borinic esters useful in the present invention thus include, for example, (i) boron picolinates, e.g. diaryl boron picolinates, for example 3-hydroxypyridine-2-carbonyloxy-bis(3-chloro-4-methylphenyl)-borane or 3-hydroxypyridine-2-carbonyloxy-bis(2-methyl-4-chlorophenyl)-borane, as well as (ii) diaryl borinic esters, for example diphenylborane-8-hydroxyquinolinate (PBHQ).

In one embodiment, the borinic esters are compounds as described in WO 2006/102604, incorporated herein by reference, e.g., of Formula (I)

wherein R* and R** are independently substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, or substituted or unsubstituted heterocycle; z is 0 or 1, with the proviso, that if z is 1, then A is CR¹⁰ or N, and D is N or CR¹², and with the further proviso that if z is 0 then D is O, S or NR^(12a); E is hydrogen, hydroxy, alkoxy, (cycloalkyl)oxy, (cycloheteroalkyl)oxy, carboxy, or alkyloxycarbonyl; m is 0 or 1; R¹² is hydrogen, hydroxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl, dialkylaminoalkyl, carboxy, alkyloxycarbonyl, amido, hydroxy, alkoxy, aryloxy, thio, alkylthio, arylthio, alkylsulfonyl, dialkylaminosulfonyl, alkylaminosulfonyl, aminosulfonyl, sulfo, cyano, halo, nitro, amino, dialkylamino, alkylamino, arylamino, diarylamino, aralkylamino, or diaralkylamino; R^(12a) is hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, or substituted or unsubstituted heterocycle; and

R⁹ and R¹⁰ are independently hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl, dialkylaminoalkyl, halo, carbonyl, hydroxyimino, carboxy, alkyloxycarbonyl, alkylthio, alkylsulfonyl, arylthio, dialkylaminosulfonyl, alkylaminosulfonyl, aminosulfonyl, amino, alkoxy, nitro, sulfo, or hydroxy;

in free or pharmaceutically acceptable salt form.

“Aralkyl” and “alkaryl” are sometimes used to refer to arylalkyl and alkylaryl respectively. The alkyl or aryl portion of any moiety recited for R⁹, R¹⁹, or R¹² is optionally substituted, for example with hydroxy, halogen, or C₁₋₄ alkyl.

Alkyl is preferably C₁₋₄ alkyl. Cycloalkyl is preferably C₃₋₇ cycloalkyl. Aryl is preferably phenyl.

In some embodiments, E is a member selected from hydrogen, hydroxy, or (cycloheteroalkyl)oxy such as 2-morpholinoethoxy.

In other embodiments, R¹² is (CH₂)_(k)OH (where k=1, 2 or 3), CH₂NH₂, CH₂NH-alkyl, CH₂N(alkyl)₂, CO₂H, CO₂alkyl, CONH₂, OH, alkoxy, aryloxy, SH, S-alkyl, S-aryl, SO₂alkyl, SO₂N(alkyl)₂, SO₂NHalkyl, SO₂NH₂, SO₃H, SCF₃, CN, halogen, CF₃, NO₂, NH₂, 2°-amino, 3°-amino, NH₂SO₂ or CONH₂.

In still other embodiments, R⁹ and R¹⁹ are independently hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, (CH₂)_(n)OH (n=1 to 3), CH₂NH₂, CH₂NHalkyl, CH₂N(alkyl)₂, halogen, CHO, CH═NOH, CO₂H, CO₂-alkyl, S-alkyl, S0₂-alkyl, S-aryl, SO₂N(alkyl)₂, SO₂NHalkyl, SO₂NH₂, NH₂, alkoxy, CF₃, SCF₃, NO₂, SO₃H or OH;

Compounds of Formula 1 may exist in rotameric form, and the illustrated dative bond (arrow) may or may not be present, i.e., the present invention includes those compounds in which coordination between the boron atom and the nitrogen or hydroxy of the picolinate is present and those compounds where such coordination is missing. The present invention also includes those compounds of Formula 1 in which a dative bond is formed between the boron and another atom of the molecule. In addition, those of skill in the art, e.g., organic and medicinal chemistry, will appreciate that the large difference in atomic radius between carbon and boron can allow for the formation of solvent coordination complexes in which a solvent molecule, such as water, can be inserted between the boron atom and the nitrogen atom of the picolinate ring. The present invention includes such adducts of the compounds of Formula 1.

In one embodiment of the invention in which z is 1, the compound of Formula 1 has a structure according to the following formula:

wherein D is selected from N and CR¹².

In another embodiment of the invention, in which z is 0, the compound of Formula 1 has a structure according to the following formula:

wherein D is a member selected from O, S and NR^(12a).

In one embodiment of the invention, R* and R** are the same. In a more specific embodiment, R* and R* * are substituted or unsubstituted aryl. In a still more specific embodiment, R* and R** are substituted or unsubstituted phenyl, wherein said substituted or unsubstituted phenyl has the structure:

and further wherein each of R⁴-R⁸ is a member independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, aralkyl, substituted aralkyl, hydroxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl, dialkylaminoalkyl, carboxy, alkylcarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, dialkylaminocarbonyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, aryloxy, thio, alkylthio, arylthio, alkylsulfonyl, diaminosulfonyl, alkylaminosulfonyl, aminosulfonyl, sulfo, cyano, halo, nitro, amino, 2°-amino, 3°-amino, aminosulfonyl, aminoalkyloxy, (alkylamino)alkyloxy, (dialkylamino)alkyloxy, and cycloheteroalkyl. Each alkyl or aryl portion of each moiety recited for R⁴-R⁸ is optionally substituted.

In more specific embodiments of the invention in which R* and R** are both optionally substituted phenyl as just described, each of R⁴-R⁸ is a member independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, aralkyl, substituted aralkyl, (CH₂)_(k)OH (where k=1, 2 or 3), CH₂NH₂, CH₂NH-alkyl, CH₂N(alkyl)₂, CO₂H, CO₂alkyl, CONH₂, CONHalkyl, CON(alkyl)₂, OH, alkoxy, aryloxy, SH, S-alkyl, S-aryl, SO₂alkyl, S0₂N(alkyl)₂, SO₂NHalkyl, SO₂NH₂, SO₃H, SCF₃, CN, halogen, CF₃, NO₂, NH₂, 2°-amino, 3°-amino, NH₂SO₂, OCH₂CH₂NH₂₅ OCH₂CH₂NHalkyl, OCH₂CH₂N(alkyl)₂, oxazolidin-2-yl, and alkyl substituted oxazolidin-2-yl.

In one embodiment of the invention in which R* and R** are both optionally substituted phenyl as described, R⁹ is H, z is 1, A is CH, D is CH, E is OH, and m is O. In a more specific embodiment of the foregoing, R* and R** are both 3-chloro-4-methylphenyl. In another specific embodiment, R* and R** are both 2-methyl-4-chlorophenyl.

Particularly useful compounds include 3-hydroxypyridine-2-carbonyloxy-bis(3-chloro-4-methylphenyl)-borane and 3-hydroxypyridine-2-carbonyloxy-bis(2-methyl-4-chlorophenyl)-borane, in free or pharmaceutically acceptable salt form.

It has surprisingly been discovered that in formulations, the borinic ester compounds may exist in rotameric form, wherein the form is largely pH dependent, and the boron may be linked by a coordinate covalent bond (dative bond) to the nitrogen in the heteroaryl. The rotamer wherein the boron is nonpolar or associated with the hydroxy group on the picolinate moiety is predominantly or exclusively present at basic pH, while the more polar rotamer, wherein the boron is associated with the nitrogen on the picolinate or other heterocycle predominates at acidic pH. For example,

It has also been discovered that the nonpolar rotamer or rotamer wherein the boron is associated with hydroxy is more stable in formulation. Without intending to be bound by theory, it is believed that the shift in electron density that occurs upon the formation of the dative bond with nitrogen makes the polar isomer more susceptible to hydrolysis at the ester bond.

To favor the more stable rotamer, we have discovered that it is advantageous that the pH of the formulation be maintained above 7, e.g., by using a buffer to prevent a drop in pH which would result in formation of the more polar rotamer, and/or that the pH be maintained even at a higher level, e.g., 8-9.5, it having been surprisingly shown that the compounds are stable at higher pH, and not (as might be suspected) highly vulnerable to degradation by OH⁻ ions. This discovery allows preparation of stable aqueous formulations of the compounds. We note that this discovery is somewhat in contrast to the examples of WO 2006/102604 which describe topical emulsions, with the borinic ester in the oil phase, or else compositions having relatively low pH, e.g., 5.5.

Thus, the invention provides Composition 1.0, a composition, e.g., a topical composition, e.g., an oral care or topical pharmaceutical composition, comprising an antibacterially effective amount of a borinic acid derivative, e.g., of Formula A, for example a compound of Formula (I), having a pH of at least 8, e.g. 8.5-11, for example about 9, or buffered to at least pH 7, and optionally further comprising one or more antioxidants, surfactants and solubilizing agents.

The present invention includes Composition 2.0, a dentifrice, comprising Composition 1.0 and a dentifrice vehicle, having a pH of at least 8, e.g. 8.5-11, for example about 9, or buffered to at least pH 7, and optionally further comprising one or more antioxidants, surfactants and/or solubilizing agents.

In another aspect, it has been discovered that borinic acid derivatives, e.g. of Formula A, which are often difficult to solubilize, are highly soluble in polymers comprising polyoxyethylene or polyoxyethylene and polyoxypropylene. Thus in another embodiment the present invention comprises Composition 3.0, a topical composition, for example a topical pharmaceutical or oral care formulation, e.g., according to any of Compositions 1.0 to 2.0, comprising borinic acid derivatives, e.g. of Formula A, for example a Compound of Formula I, and a solubilizing agent, e.g., selected from polymers of polyoxyethylene and polyoxyethylene/polyoxypropylene.

It has also been found that buffering the formulation to a pH of at least 7 enhances stability. The invention thus provide provides Composition 4.0, a topical composition, for example a topical pharmaceutical or oral care formulation, comprising an antibacterially effective amount of a borinic acid derivative, e.g., of Formula A, for example a compound of Formula (I), for example any of Compositions 1.0 et seq.—3.0 et seq. more fully described below, in combination with a suitable buffer, for example a phosphate buffer.

The present invention also includes Composition 5.0, a topical composition (for example a topical antimicrobial product or an antimicrobial soap), comprising Composition 1.0, 3.0 or 4.0 and a pharmaceutically (including cosmetically) acceptable vehicle, having a pH of at least 8, e.g. 8.5-11, for example about 9, or buffered to at least 7, and optionally further comprising one or more antioxidants, surfactants and/or solubilizing agents.

The present invention also includes Method 6.0, a method for preparing a topical composition comprising mixing Composition 1.0, 3.0 or 4.0 with a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle and adjusting or maintaining the pH at a level of at least 7, preferably at least 8, e.g., 8.5-11.

The present invention also includes Method 7.0, a method to reduce, inhibit, or treat topical microbial infections, for example to treat, reduce or inhibit topical skin infections, e.g., acne, superficial skin infections, minor cuts, pathogen colonization, and inflammatory skin conditions, comprising applying a Composition of the Invention to the affected skin or nails of a subject in need thereof.

The present invention also includes Method 8.0, a method for preparing a topical, e.g., oral care composition comprising mixing any of Compositions 1.0-4.0 with an orally or topically acceptable vehicle and adjusting or maintaining the pH at a level of at least 7, preferably at least 8, e.g., 8.5-11.

The present invention also includes Method 9.0, a method to reduce, inhibit, or treat oral microbial infections, for example to reduce or inhibit formation of dental caries, to treat, reduce or inhibit gingivitis, to reduce levels of oral bacteria, to inhibit microbial biofilm formation in the oral cavity, to reduce plaque accumulation, and/or clean the teeth and oral cavity, comprising applying a Composition of the Invention to the oral cavity of a subject in need thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts percent of COMPOUND 1 recovery after two weeks at 60° C. as a function of formula pH in the (a) G-series base and (b) the low water base, as further described in the examples.

FIG. 2 shows the percentage of COMPOUND 1 recovery in a 50/50 acetonitrile/water solution as a function of pH after 1 day at 70° C., as further described in the examples.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used throughout, ranges are used as a shorthand for describing each and every value that is within the range. Any value within the range can be selected as the terminus of the range. In addition, all references cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. In the event of a conflict in a definition in the present disclosure and that of a cited reference, the present disclosure controls.

Unless otherwise specified, all percentages and amounts expressed herein and elsewhere in the specification should be understood to refer to percentages by weight. The amounts given are based on the active weight of the material.

The oral compositions of the present invention may include a dentifrice, mouth rinse, dental floss, dental paint, dental film, lozenge, or confectionery. Dentifrice compositions may include a toothpaste, gel, or powder.

“Orally acceptable salts” are pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base addition salts that are safe for use in an oral care product such as a dentifrice in the amounts and concentrations provided by normal use of the product.

Compounds of Formula (I) which may be useful in the present invention include: 3-hydroxypyridine-2-carbonyloxy-bis(3-chloro-4-methylphenyl)-borane (or bis(3-chloro-4-methylphenyl)borinic acid 3-hydroxypicolinate ester), e.g. of Formula (II):

Thus, in one aspect of the present invention, Composition 1, e.g., a composition, e.g., an oral care composition or topical pharmaceutical formulation, comprising an antibacterially effective amount of a borinic acid derivative, e.g., of Formula A, for example a compound of Formula (I), having a pH of at least 7, preferably at least 8, e.g. 8.5-11, for example about 9, and optionally further comprising one or more antioxidants, surfactants and solubilizing agents, includes, for example, any of the following compositions:

-   1.1 Composition 1 comprising a borinic ester. -   1.2 Composition 1.1 comprising a borinic ester of Formula 1. -   1.3 Composition 1.1 or 1.2 comprising a diaryl boron picolinate. -   1.4 Composition 1.1, 1.2 or 1.3 comprising     3-hydroxypyridine-2-carbonyloxy-bis(3-chloro-4-methylphenyl)-borane     or     3-hydroxypyridine-2-carbonyloxy-bis(2-methyl-4-chlorophenyl)-borane. -   1.5 Composition 1.4 comprising     3-hydroxypyridine-2-carbonyloxy-bis(3-chloro-4-methylphenyl)-borane. -   1.6 Composition 1 comprising a diaryl borinic ester. -   1.7 Composition 1.6 wherein the diaryl borinic ester is     diphenylborane-8-hydroxyquinolinate (PBHQ). -   1.8 Any of compositions 1.0-1.7, wherein the compound of formula (A)     is present in an amount of 0.05% to 20% by weight, e.g., 0.1% to     10%. -   1.9 Any of compositions 1-1.8 comprising buffering agents to raise     and maintain the pH at the desired level. -   1.10 Composition 1.9 wherein the buffering agent includes a basic     amino acid in free or pharmaceutically acceptable salt form -   1.11 Composition 1.10 wherein the basic amino acid is selected from     arginine, lysine, citrulline, ornithine, creatine, histidine,     diaminobutanoic acid, diaminoproprionic acid and mixtures thereof,     in free or pharmaceutically acceptable salt form. -   1.12 Composition 1.12 wherein the basic amino acid is arginine in     free or pharmaceutically acceptable salt form.

Without intending to be bound by theory, it is believed that compounds of Formula A, e.g., the borinic esters of Formula (I) may be oxidized by oxygen, peroxides, or by peroxides that can be formed in oral and topical compositions, e.g., from ethers such as polyethylene glycol reacting with oxygen. Such oxygen and/or peroxides may react with the borinic ester at the carbon-boron bond, leading to cleavage and formation of boronic acid derivatives and phenol derivatives, which are ineffective antibacterial agents. It is believed that the addition of antioxidants reduces the peroxides and other oxidizing agents that may be present or form in the oral compositions.

Thus, in one aspect of the present invention, Composition 1.0 thus includes for example, any of the following compositions:

-   1.13 Any of Compositions 1.0-1.8 further comprising an antioxidant. -   1.14 Composition 1.9 wherein the antioxidant is selected from     ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbyl phosphate, butylated hydroxytoluene     (BHT), alpha tocopherol, citric acid, and a mixture thereof. -   1.15 Any of Compositions 1.9-1.10 wherein the antioxidant is present     in an amount sufficient to inhibit oxidation of the borinic acid     derivative; -   1.16 Any of compositions 1.9-1.11 wherein the antioxidant is present     in an effective amount to prevent or inhibit oxidation of the     compound of formula (I).

In one embodiment of the present invention, the compounds of formula (I) are solubilzed in the compositions of the present invention with a solubilizing agent, which may include for example polyethylene glycol, glycerin, co-polymers of polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol (e.g., Pluraflo L4370), or Triblock Copolymer Surfactant F127. The amounts of solubilizing agent required will be dependent upon the amount of the compounds of Formula (I) in the composition, and the particular solubilizing agent selected. Thus, the present invention includes the following compositions:

-   1.17 Any of compositions 1.0-1.12 further comprising a solubilizing     agent. -   1.18 Composition 1.13 wherein the solubilizing agent is a nonionic     surfactant. -   1.19 Composition 1.14 wherein the solubilizing agent comprises an     alkyl ether, for example a polyalkyleneglycol, for example     polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, or co-polymers or     mixtures of any of these. -   1.20 Any of compositions 1.13-1.15 wherein the compound of Formula A     is solubilized in the solubilizing agent prior to mixture with the     other composition ingredients. -   1.21 Any of compositions 1.13-1.16 wherein the solubilizing agent is     present in an amount of from 1-30% by weight, for example 5-10% by     weight.

The compositions of the invention also may optionally include one or more chelating agents which are able to complex calcium found in the cell walls of the bacteria, which, it is believed weakens the bacterial cell wall and augments bacterial lysis. Chelating agents may further sequester ions that could complex with and destabilize the borinic acid derivatives. Agents suitable for use as chelating agents are known to those of skill in the art, and include di- or tetra-acids and their salts, such as the soluble pyrophosphates, polycarboxylic acids, and polyaminocarboxylic acids. The pyrophosphate salts used in the present compositions can be any of the alkali metal pyrophosphate salts. In certain embodiments, salts include tetra alkali metal pyrophosphate, dialkali metal diacid pyrophosphate, trialkali metal monoacid pyrophosphate and mixtures thereof, wherein the alkali metals are sodium or potassium. The salts are useful in both their hydrated and unhydrated forms. An effective amount of pyrophosphate salt useful in the present composition is generally enough to provide at least about 1 wt. % pyrophosphate ions, about 1.5 wt. % to about 6 wt. %, about 3.5 wt. % to about 6 wt. % of such ions. Useful chelating agents include tetrasodium pyrophosphate, tetrapotassium pyrophosphate, ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid, ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid, sodium pyrophosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate, potassium tripolyphosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate, and citric acid. Accordingly, in a further embodiment, the invention provides

-   1.22 Any of compositions 1.0-1.17 further comprising a chelator. -   1.23 Composition 1.22 wherein the chelator is selected from     tetrasodium pyrophosphate, tetrapotassium pyrophosphate, ethylene     diamine tetraacetic acid, ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid, sodium     pyrophosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate, potassium tripolyphosphate,     sodium hexametaphosphate, and citric acid. -   1.24 Any of compositions 1.22 or 1.23 wherein the chelator provides     ion in an amount by weight of 1-6%

In one embodiment, Composition 2.0 of the present invention is an oral care product, comprising an effective amount of Composition 1.0 and an orally acceptable carrier. Acceptable carriers suitable for use in an oral care product are known by those of skill in the art, and may take the form of a paste, gel or mouthwash which includes water and/or a humectant, or may take the form of a powder, or a dental floss or dental device. The components of the acceptable carrier may include Composition 1.0. Humectants are known by those of skill in the art, and include edible polyhydric alcohols such as glycerine, sorbitol, xylitol, alkylene glycol such as polyethylene glycol or propylene glycol as well as other polyols and mixtures of these humectants. The oral compositions of the present invention may comprise from about 5% to about 80% by weight of the humectant, with water and other components making up the balance of the carrier.

2.1 Composition 2 in the form of a paste, gel or liquid comprising any of compositions 1-1.24 in combination or association with water and/or a humectant. 2.2 Composition 2.1 wherein the amount of water is less than 10%. 2.3 Composition 2.1 or 2.2 wherein the amount of humectant is greater than 50%. 2.4 Any of Compositions 2-2.3 wherein the humectant is selected from polyhydric alcohols (e.g. glycerine, sorbitol, xylitol) and alkylene glycol (polyethylene glycol or propylene glycol as well as other polyols and mixtures. 2.5. Any of Compositions 2-2.4 which is a dentifrice. 2.6 Composition 2.5 which is a toothpaste. 2.7 Composition 2.5 or 2.6 which further comprises an abrasive. 2.8 Composition 2.7 which further comprises a fluoride ion source.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a topical or oral care composition, Composition 3.0, e.g., according to Composition 1.0 through 2.8, comprising borinic acid derivatives, e.g. of Formula A, for example a compound of Formula I, and at least one solubilizing agent selected from polymers of polyoxyethylene and/or polyoxypropylene, e.g.

3.1 Composition 3.0 wherein the solubilizing agent comprises a co-polymer of polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol, e.g., Fluraflo L4370 (BASF). 3.2 Composition 3.0 wherein the solubilizing agent comprises a poloxamer, e.g. a tri-block co-polymer of formula H—(O—CH₂—CH₂)_(x)—(O—CH(CH₃)CH₂)_(y)—(O—CH₂—CH₂)_(z)—OH. 3.3 Composition 3.2 wherein the average molecular weight of the polyoxypropylene block in the poloxamer is approximately 3-4 kD, the polyoxyethylene content is approximately 65-75%, and the total average molecular weight of the poloxamer is approximately 12-13 kD, for example wherein x and z are each 90-110, e.g. about 101, and y is 50-65, e.g., about 56, for example wherein the poloxamer is poloxamer 407 (e.g., Pluronic® F-127 from BASF). 3.3 Composition 3.0 wherein the solubilizing agent comprises polyethylene glycol, e.g. having an average molecular weight of 100 to 1000 daltons, for example, e.g., PEG 300 or PEG 600. 3.4 Composition 3.0 wherein the solubilizing agent comprises an agent selected from co-polymers of polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol, poloxamers, polyethylene glycols, and mixtures thereof. It has also been discovered that the stability of the borinic acid derivatives is significantly enhanced by use of buffering agents, even to a large extent at neutral pH. The invention provides in a further embodiment Composition 4, a topical or oral care formulation, e.g., according to any of the preceding Compositions 1.0 through 3.4, comprising an antibacterially effective amount of a borinic acid derivative, e.g., of Formula A, for example a compound of Formula (I), and a buffer, having a pH of about 7 to about 11, for example a pH of at e.g., at least 8, for example having a phosphate buffer providing a pH of at least 7.2.

The oral care compositions of the present invention may also contain one or more fluoride ion sources, e.g., fluoride salts which may be soluble. Fluoride salts wherein the fluoride is covalently bound to another atom and/or sequestered from calcium are preferred. A wide variety of fluoride ion-yielding materials can be employed as sources of soluble fluoride in the present compositions. Representative fluoride ion sources include, but are not limited to, stannous fluoride, sodium fluoride, potassium fluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate, sodium fluorosilicate, ammonium fluorosilicate, amine fluoride, ammonium fluoride, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments the fluoride ion source includes stannous fluoride, sodium fluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate as well as mixtures thereof.

In certain embodiments, the oral care composition of the invention may also contain a source of fluoride ions or fluorine-providing ingredient in amounts sufficient to supply about 25 ppm to about 25,000 ppm of fluoride ions, generally at least about 500 ppm, e.g., about 500 to about 2000 ppm, e.g., about 1000—about 1600 ppm, e.g., about 1450 ppm.

Fluoride ion sources may be added to the compositions of the invention at a level of about 0.01 wt. % to about 10 wt. % in one embodiment or about 0.03 wt. % to about 5 wt. %, and in another embodiment about 0.1 wt. % to about 1 wt. % by weight of the composition in another embodiment. Weights of fluoride salts to provide the appropriate level of fluoride ion will obviously vary based on the weight of the counter ion in the salt.

The oral compositions of the present invention may also comprise an additional antibacterial agent, which are know by those of skill in the art, such as a halogenated diphenyl ether (triclosan), herbal extracts or essential oils, biguanide antiseptics, phenolic antiseptics, hexetidine, povidone iodine, delmopinol, salifluor, metal ions (e.g., zinc salts, for example, zinc citrate), sanguinarine, and propolis.

The oral compositions of the present invention may also comprise a tooth desensitizing agent, which are known by those of skill in the art, and include a potassium salt, capsaicin, eugenol, a strontium salt, a zinc salt, a chloride salt, or combinations thereof.

The oral compositions of the present invention may comprise abrasives and/or polishing agents, such as calcium and silica abrasives, which are known by those of skill in the art. Preferred calcium abrasives may include a calcium phosphate abrasive, e.g., tricalcium phosphate (Ca₃(PO₄)₂), hydroxyapatite (Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂), or dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (CaHPO₄.2H₂O). Useful silica abrasives may include precipitated silicas having a mean particle size of up to about 20 microns, such as Zeodent 115®, marketed by J. M. Huber. Other useful abrasives also include sodium metaphosphate, potassium metaphosphate, aluminum silicate, calcined alumina, bentonite or other siliceous materials, or combinations thereof.

The silica abrasive polishing materials useful herein, as well as the other abrasives, generally have an average particle size of about 0.1 and about 30 microns, about 5 and about 15 microns. The silica abrasives can be from precipitated silica or silica gels, such as the silica xerogels, which may be are marketed under the trade name Syloid® by the W. R. Grace & Co., Davison Chemical Division. The precipitated silica materials include those marketed by the J. M. Huber Corp. under the trade name Zeodent®, including the silica carrying the designation Zeodent 115 and 119.

In certain embodiments, abrasive materials useful in the practice of the oral care compositions in accordance with the invention include silica gels and precipitated amorphous silica having an oil absorption value of about less than 100 cc/100 g silica and in the range of about 45 cc/100 g to about 70 cc/100 g silica. Oil absorption values are measured using the ASTA Rub-Out Method D281. In certain embodiments, the silicas are colloidal particles having an average particle size of about 3 microns to about 12 microns, and about 5 to about 10 microns.

In particular embodiments, the abrasive materials comprise very small particles, e.g., having a d50 less than about 5 microns. For example small particle silica (SPS) having a d50 of about 3 to about 4 microns, for example Sorbosil AC43® (Ineos). Such small particles are particularly useful in formulations targeted at reducing hypersensitivity. The small particle component may be present in combination with a second larger particle abrasive. In certain embodiments, for example, the formulation comprises about 3—about 8% SPS and about 25—about 45% of a conventional abrasive.

It has been found that oral compositions containing silica and the compounds of Formula (I) change color, from white to yellow, which is undesirable. Such a color change is observable even if the composition contains antioxidants (previously discussed). The present invention is also based on the surprising discovery that the addition of a chelating agent to the oral composition can inhibit such color change, indeed, reverse such color change. Chelating agents useful to prevent such color change have been previously discussed.

Low oil absorption silica abrasives particularly useful in the practice of the invention are marketed under the trade designation Sylodent XWA® by Davison Chemical Division of W.R. Grace & Co., Baltimore, Md. 21203. Sylodent 650 XWA®, a silica hydrogel composed of particles of colloidal silica having a water content of about 29% by weight averaging about 7 to about 10 microns in diameter, and an oil absorption of less than about 70 cc/100 g of silica is an example of a low oil absorption silica abrasive useful in the practice of the present invention. The abrasive is present in the oral care composition of the present invention at a concentration of about 10 to about 60% by weight, in other embodiment about 20 to about 45% by weight, and in another embodiment about 30 to about 50% by weight.

The oral care compositions of the invention also may include an agent to increase the amount of foam that is produced when the oral cavity is brushed, and such agents are known by those of skill in the art. Illustrative examples of agents that increase the amount of foam include, but are not limited to polyoxyethylene and certain polymers including, but not limited to, alginate polymers.

The polyoxyethylene may increase the amount of foam and the thickness of the foam generated by the oral care carrier component of the present invention. Polyoxyethylene is also commonly known as polyethylene glycol (“PEG”) or polyethylene oxide. The polyoxyethylenes suitable for this invention will have a molecular weight of about 200,000 to about 7,000,000. In one embodiment the molecular weight will be about 600,000 to about 2,000,000 and in another embodiment about 800,000 to about 1,000,000. The polyoxyethylene may be present in an amount of about 1% to about 90%, in one embodiment about 5% to about 50% and in another embodiment about 10% to about 20% by weight of the oral care carrier component of the oral care compositions of the present invention. The dosage of foaming agent in the oral care composition (i.e., a single dose) is about 0.01 to about 0.9% by weight, about 0.05 to about 0.5% by weight, and in another embodiment about 0.1 to about 0.2% by weight.

The oral compositions of the present invention may also a surfactant or a mixture of compatible surfactants, which are known by those of skill in the art. Suitable surfactants are those which are reasonably stable throughout a wide pH range, for example, anionic, cationic, nonionic or zwitterionic surfactants, including mixtures thereof.

Anionic surfactants useful herein include the water-soluble salts of alkyl sulfates having about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl radical and the water-soluble salts of sulfonated monoglycerides of fatty acids having about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms, e.g., sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate and sodium coconut monoglyceride sulfonates. Mixtures of anionic surfactants may also be utilized.

Cationic surfactants useful herein may include derivatives of aliphatic quaternary ammonium compounds having one long alkyl chain containing about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms, e.g., lauryl trimethylammonium chloride, cetyl pyridinium chloride, cetyl trimethylammonium bromide, di-isobutylphenoxyethyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride, coconut alkyltrimethylammonium nitrite, and cetyl pyridinium fluoride.

Nonionic surfactants that can be used in the compositions of the invention can be defined as compounds produced by the condensation of alkylene oxide groups (hydrophilic in nature) with an organic hydrophobic compound which may be aliphatic or alkylaromatic in nature. Examples of nonionic surfactants useful in the present invention include the Pluronics, polyethylene oxide condensates of alkyl phenols, products derived from the condensation of ethylene oxide with the reaction product of propylene oxide and ethylene diamine, ethylene oxide condensates of aliphatic alcohols, long chain tertiary amine oxides, long chain tertiary phosphine oxides, long chain dialkyl sulfoxides and mixtures of such materials.

Polaxamers are a particular type of nonionic surfactant that can be used in the invention. Poloxamers are nonionic triblock copolymers composed of a central hydrophobic chain of polyoxypropylene (poly(propylene oxide)) flanked by two hydrophilic chains of polyoxyethylene (poly(ethylene oxide)). Poloxamers are also known by the trade name Pluronics. Because the lengths of the polymer blocks can be customized, many different poloxamers exist that have slightly different properties. For the generic term “poloxamer”, these copolymers are commonly named with the letter “P” (for poloxamer) followed by three digits, the first two digits×100 give the approximate molecular mass of the polyoxypropylene core, and the last digit×10 gives the percentage polyoxyethylene content (e.g., P407=Poloxamer with a polyoxypropylene molecular mass of 4,000 g/mol and a 70% polyoxyethylene content). For the Pluronic tradename, coding of these copolymers starts with a letter to define its physical form at room temperature (L=liquid, P=paste, F=flake (solid)) followed by two or three digits, The first digit (two digits in a three-digit number) in the numerical designation, multiplied by 300, indicates the approximate molecular weight of the hydrophobe; and the last digit x 10 gives the percentage polyoxyethylene content (e.g., L61=Pluronic with a polyoxypropylene molecular mass of 1,800 g/mol and a 10% polyoxyethylene content). In the example given, poloxamer 181 (P181)=Pluronic L61.

Zwitterionic synthetic surfactants useful in the present invention can be broadly described as derivatives of aliphatic quaternary ammonium, phosphonium, and sulfonium compounds, in which the aliphatic radicals can be straight chain or branched, and wherein one of the aliphatic substituents contains about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms and one contains an anionic water-solubilizing group, e.g., carboxy, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphate or phosphonate. Illustrative examples of the surfactants suited for inclusion into the composition include, but are not limited to, sodium alkyl sulfate, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, cocoamidopropyl betaine and polysorbate 20, and combinations thereof.

The surfactant or mixtures of compatible surfactants can be present in the compositions of the present invention in about 0.1% to about 5.0%, in another embodiment about 0.3% to about 3.0% and in another embodiment about 0.5% to about 2.0% by weight of the total composition.

The oral care compositions of the invention may also include one or more flavoring agents, which are known by those of skill in the art. Flavoring agents which are used in the practice of the present invention include, but are not limited to, essential oils as well as various flavoring aldehydes, esters, alcohols, and similar materials. Examples of the essential oils include oils of spearmint, peppermint, wintergreen, sassafras, clove, sage, rosemary, eucalyptus, marjoram, cinnamon, lemon, lime, grapefruit, and orange. Also useful are such chemicals as menthol, carvone, and anethole, and other extracts, such as green tea extract.

The flavoring agent is incorporated in the oral composition at a concentration of about 0.1 to about 5% by weight and about 0.5 to about 1.5% by weight. The dosage of flavoring agent in the individual oral care composition dosage (i.e., a single dose) is about 0.001 to about 0.05% by weight and in another embodiment about 0.005 to about 0.015% by weight.

The oral care compositions of the invention also optionally include one or more polymers, which are known by those of skill in the art, such as polyethylene glycols, polyvinylethyl ether maleic acid copolymers, polysaccharides (e.g., cellulose derivatives, for example carboxymethyl cellulose, or polysaccharide gums, for example xanthan gum or carrageenan gum). Acidic polymers, for example polyacrylate gels, may be provided in the form of their free acids or partially or fully neutralized water soluble alkali metal (e.g., potassium and sodium) or ammonium salts. Certain embodiments include about 1:4 to about 4:1 copolymers of maleic anhydride or acid with another polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer, for example, methyl vinyl ether (methoxyethylene) having a molecular weight (M.W.) of about 30,000 to about 1,000,000. These copolymers are available for example as Gantrez AN 139(M.W. 500,000), AN 119 (M.W. 250,000) and S-97 Pharmaceutical Grade (M.W. 70,000), of GAF Chemicals Corporation. Such copolymers may improve the antibacterial activity of the compounds of Formula (I) (IR8387).

Other operative polymers include those such as the 1:1 copolymers of maleic anhydride with ethyl acrylate, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, N-vinyl-2-pyrollidone, or ethylene, the latter being available for example as Monsanto EMA No. 1103, M.W. 10,000 and EMA Grade 61, and 1:1 copolymers of acrylic acid with methyl or hydroxyethyl methacrylate, methyl or ethyl acrylate, isobutyl vinyl ether or N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone.

A further class of polymeric agents includes a composition containing homopolymers of substituted acrylamides and/or homopolymers of unsaturated sulfonic acids and salts thereof, in particular where polymers are based on unsaturated sulfonic acids selected from acrylamidoalykane sulfonic acids such as 2-acrylamide 2 methylpropane sulfonic acid having a molecular weight of about 1,000 to about 2,000,000, described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,842,847, Jun. 27, 1989 to Zahid, incorporated herein by reference.

Another useful class of polymeric agents includes polyamino acids, particularly those containing proportions of anionic surface-active amino acids such as aspartic acid, glutamic acid and phosphoserine, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,866,161 Sikes et al., incorporated herein by reference.

In preparing oral care compositions, it is sometimes necessary to add some thickening material to provide a desirable consistency or to stabilize or enhance the performance of the formulation. Such thickening materials are known by those of skill in the art, and may include carboxyvinyl polymers, carrageenan, hydroxyethyl cellulose and water soluble salts of cellulose ethers such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose. Natural gums such as karaya, gum arabic, and gum tragacanth can also be incorporated. Colloidal magnesium aluminum silicate or finely divided silica can be used as component of the thickening composition to further improve the composition's texture. In certain embodiments, thickening agents in an amount of about 0.5% to about 5.0% by weight of the total composition are used.

The oral care compositions of the invention may also optionally include one or more enzymes known by those of skill in the art. Useful enzymes include proteases, glucanohydrolases, endoglycosidases, amylases, mutanases, lipases and mucinases or compatible mixtures thereof. In certain embodiments, the enzyme is a protease, dextranase, endoglycosidase and mutanase. In another embodiment, the enzyme is papain, endoglycosidase or a mixture of dextranase and mutanase. An enzyme of a mixture of several compatible enzymes in the current invention constitutes about 0.002% to about 2% in one embodiment or about 0.05% to about 1.5% in another embodiment or in yet another embodiment about 0.1% to about 0.5%.

In addition to the above described components, the embodiments of this invention can contain a variety of optional dentifrice ingredients some of which are described below. Optional ingredients include, for example, but are not limited to, adhesives, sudsing agents, flavoring agents, sweetening agents, additional antiplaque agents, abrasives, and coloring agents, which are known by those of skill in the art.

The compositions of the present invention can be made using methods which are common in the oral product area.

The present invention in one method aspect involves applying to the oral cavity a safe and effective amount of the oral care compositions described herein, e.g. with brushing, to (i) reduce or inhibit formation of dental caries, (ii) reduce, repair or inhibit pre-carious lesions of the enamel, e.g., as detected by quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) or electrical caries measurement (ECM), (iii) reduce or inhibit demineralization and promote remineralization of the teeth, (iv) reduce hypersensitivity of the teeth, (v) reduce or inhibit gingivitis, (vi) promote healing of sores or cuts in the mouth, (vii) reduce levels of acid producing bacteria, (viii) to increase relative levels of arginolytic bacteria, (ix) inhibit microbial biofilm formation in the oral cavity, (x) raise and/or maintain plaque pH at levels of at least pH 5.5 following sugar challenge, (xi) reduce plaque accumulation, (xii) reduce dry mouth, (xiii) clean the teeth and oral cavity (xiv) reduce erosion, (xv) whiten teeth, and/or (xvi) kill or inhibit cariogenic bacteria.

The oral compositions may also comprise one or more suitable solvents. The ability of any solid substance (solute) to dissolve in any liquid substance (solvent) is dependent upon the physical properties of the solute and the solvent. When solutes and solvents have similar physical properties the solubility of the solute in the solvent will be the greatest. This gives rise to the traditional understanding that “like dissolves like.” Solvents can be characterized in one extreme as non-polar, lipophilic oils, while in the other extreme as polar hydrophilic solvents. Oily solvents dissolve other non-polar substances by Van der WaI interactions while water and other hydrophilic solvents dissolve polar substances by ionic, dipole, or hydrogen bonding interactions. All solvents can be listed along a continuum from the least polar, i.e. hydrocarbons such as decane, to the most polar solvent being water. A solute will have its greatest solubility in solvents having equivalent polarity. Thus, for drugs having minimal solubility in water, less polar solvents will provide improved solubility with the solvent having polarity nearly equivalent to the solute providing maximum solubility. Most drugs have intermediate polarity, and thus experience maximum solubility in solvents such as propylene glycol or ethanol, which are significantly less polar than water. If the drug has greater solubility in propylene glycol (for example 8% (w/w)) than in water (for example 0.1% (w/w))₅ then addition of water to propylene glycol should decrease the maximum amount of drug solubility for the solvent mixture compared with pure propylene glycol. Addition of a poor solvent to an excellent solvent will decrease the maximum solubility for the blend compared with the maximum solubility in the excellent solvent.

When compounds are incorporated into oral care formulations the concentration of active ingredient in the formulation may be limited by the solubility of the active ingredient in the chosen solvent and/or carrier. Non-lipophilic drugs typically display very low solubility in pharmaceutically acceptable solvents and/or carriers. For example, the solubility of some borinic acid complexes in water is less than 0.00025% wt/wt. The solubility of the same borinic acid complexes can be less than about 2% wt/wt in either propylene glycol or isopropyl myristate. In one embodiment of the present invention, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether (DGME) is the solvent used to dissolve the compounds of Formula I. The borinic acid complexes useful in the present formulation are believed to have a solubility of from about 10% wt/wt to about 25% wt/wt in DGME. In another embodiment a DGME water cosolvent system is used to dissolve the compounds of Formula I. The solvent capacity of DGME drops when water is added; however, the DGME/water cosolvent system can be designed to maintain the desired concentration of from about 0.1% to about 5% wt/wt active ingredient. Preferably the active ingredient is present from about 0.5% to about 3% wt/wt, and more preferably at about 1% wt/wt. This increased solubility reduces the likelihood of reduced bioavailability caused by precipitation.

Liquid forms may include a suitable aqueous or nonaqueous vehicle with buffers, suspending and dispensing agents, thickeners, and the like. Solid forms such as creams or pastes or the like may include, for example, any of the following ingredients, water, oil, alcohol or grease as a substrate with surfactant, polymers such as polyethylene glycol, thickeners, solids and the like. Liquid or solid formulations may include enhanced delivery technologies such as liposomes, microsomes, microsponges and the like. Additionally, the compounds can be delivered using a sustained-release system, such as semipermeable matrices of solid hydrophobic polymers containing the therapeutic agent. Various sustained-release materials have been established and are well known by those skilled in the art.

The invention comprises topical pharmaceutical compositions comprising an effective amount of a compound of formula A. By “effective” amount of a drug, formulation, or permeant is meant a sufficient amount of an active agent to provide the desired local or systemic effect. “Topically effective,” “cosmetically effective,” “pharmaceutically effective,” or “therapeutically effective” amount refers to the amount of drug needed to effect the desired therapeutic result. “Topically effective” refers to a material that, when applied to the skin, produces a desired pharmacological result either locally at the place of application or systemically as a result of transdermal passage of an active ingredient in the material. “Cosmetically effective” refers to a material that, when applied to the skin, produces a desired cosmetic result locally at the place of application of an active ingredient in the material.

Compounds of formula A may be provided in free or pharmaceutically acceptable salt for. “Pharmaceutically acceptable salts” refers to pharmaceutically acceptable salts of a compound, which salts are derived from a variety of organic and inorganic counter ions well known in the art and are not toxic at the levels of exposure provided by normal use of the products of the invention. Such salts may include, by way of example only, hydrochloric, phosphoric, hydrobromic, sulfuric, sulfuric, formic, toluenesulfonic, methanesulfonic, hydroxy-ethanesulfonic, nitric, benzoic, citric, tartaric, maleic, fumaric hydroiodic, lactic, succinic, alkanoic such as acetic, HOOC—(CH₂)_(p)—CH₃ where p is 0-4, and the like. In addition, pharmaceutically compatible salts can be formed with many acids, including but not limited to non-toxic pharmaceutical base addition salts including salts of bases such as sodium, potassium, calcium, ammonium, and the like. Those skilled in the art will recognize a wide variety of nontoxic pharmaceutically acceptable addition salts.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” or “pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle” refers to any formulation or carrier medium that provides the appropriate delivery of an effective amount of a active agent as defined herein, does not interfere with the effectiveness of the biological activity of the active agent, and that is sufficiently non-toxic to the host or patient. Representative carriers include water, oils, both vegetable and mineral, cream bases, lotion bases, ointment bases and the like. These bases include suspending agents, thickeners, penetration enhancers, and the like. Their formulation is well known to those in the art of cosmetics and topical pharmaceuticals. Additional information concerning carriers can be found in Part 8 of Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 17.sup.th edition, 1985, Mack Publishing Company, Easton, Pa., which is incorporated herein by reference.

“Pharmaceutically acceptable topical carrier” and equivalent terms refer to pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, as described herein above, suitable for topical application; An inactive liquid or cream vehicle capable of suspending or dissolving the active agent(s), and having the properties of being nontoxic and non-inflammatory when applied to the skin is an example of a pharmaceutically-acceptable topical carrier. This term is specifically intended to encompass carrier materials approved for use in topical cosmetics as well. The term “pharmaceutically acceptable additive” refers to preservatives, antioxidants, fragrances, emulsifiers, dyes and excipients known or used in the field of drug formulation and that do not unduly interfere with the effectiveness of the biological activity of the active agent, and that is sufficiently non-toxic to the host or patient. Additives for topical formulations are well-known in the art, and may be added to the topical composition, as long as they are pharmaceutically acceptable and not deleterious to the epithelial cells or their function. Further, they should not cause deterioration in the stability of the composition. For example, inert fillers, anti-irritants, tackifiers, excipients, fragrances, opacifiers, antioxidants, gelling agents, stabilizers, surfactant, emollients, coloring agents, preservatives, buffering agents, other permeation enhancers, and other conventional components of topical or transdermal delivery formulations as are known in the art. The terms “enhancement,” “penetration enhancement” or “permeation enhancement” relate to an increase in the permeability of the skin to a drug, so as to increase the rate at which the drug permeates through the skin. The enhanced permeation effected through the use of such enhancers can be observed, for example, by measuring the rate of diffusion of the drug through animal or human skin using a diffusion cell apparatus. A diffusion cell is described by Merritt et al. Diffusion Apparatus for Skin Penetration, J of Controlled Release, 1 (1984) pp. 161-162. The term “permeation enhancer” or “penetration enhancer” intends an agent or a mixture of agents, which, alone or in combination, act to increase the permeability of the skin to a drug. The term “excipients” is conventionally known to mean carriers, diluents and/or vehicles used in formulating drug compositions effective for the desired use. The term “topical administration” refers to the application of a pharmaceutical agent to the external surface of the skin, such that the agent is locally active and/or crosses the external surface of the skin and enters the underlying tissues. Topical administration includes application of the composition to intact skin, to broken, raw or open wound of skin. Topical administration of a pharmaceutical agent can result in a limited distribution of the agent to the skin and surrounding tissues or, when the agent is removed from the treatment area by the bloodstream, can result in systemic distribution of the agent. The term “transdermal delivery” refers to the diffusion of an agent across the barrier of the skin resulting from topical administration or other application of a composition. The stratum corneum acts as a barrier and few pharmaceutical agents are able to penetrate intact skin. In contrast, the epidermis and dermis are permeable to many solutes and absorption of drugs therefore occurs more readily through skin that is abraded or otherwise stripped of the stratum corneum to expose the epidermis. Transdermal delivery includes injection or other delivery through any portion of the skin or mucous membrane and absorption or permeation through the remaining portion. Absorption through intact skin can be enhanced by placing the active agent in an appropriate pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle before application to the skin. Passive topical administration may consist of applying the active agent directly to the treatment site in combination with emollients or penetration enhancers. As used herein, transdermal delivery is intended to include delivery by permeation through or past the integument, i.e. skin, hair, or nails.

Active agents useful in the presently claimed topical formulations are compounds that are active against acne vulgaris and/or secondarily infected skin conditions. Examples of active agents useful in the presently claimed topical formulations are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/867,465 filed on Jun. 16, 2004, which application is incorporated herein in its entirety. Preferably the active agents are the borinic acid complexes of Formula A described herein above.

The present invention includes topical pharmaceutical compositions. These topical pharmaceutical compositions can be manufactured in a manner that is itself known, e.g., by means of a conventional mixing, dissolving, granulating, dragee-making, levigating, emulsifying, encapsulating, entrapping or lyophilizing processes. Pharmaceutical compositions for use in accordance with the present invention thus can be formulated in conventional manner using one or more physiologically acceptable carriers comprising excipients and auxiliaries that facilitate processing of the active compounds into preparations that can be used pharmaceutically. Proper formulation is dependent upon the desired product chosen.

The compositions of the present invention comprises fluid or semi-solid vehicles that may include but are not limited to polymers, thickeners, buffers, neutralizers, chelating agents, preservatives, surfactants or emulsifiers, antioxidants, waxes or oils, emollients, sunscreens, and a solvent or mixed solvent system. The solvent or mixed solvent system is important to the formation because it is primarily responsible for dissolving the drug. The best solvent or mixed solvent systems are also capable of maintaining clinically relevant levels of the drug in solution despite the addition of a poor solvent to the formulation. The topical compositions useful in the subject invention can be made into a wide variety of product types. These include, but are not limited to, lotions, creams, gels, sticks, sprays, ointments, pastes, foams, mousses, and cleansers. These product types can comprise several types of carrier systems including, but not limited to particles, nano-particles, and liposomes. If desired, disintegrating agents can be added, such as the cross-linked polyvinyl pyrrolidone, agar or alginic acid or a salt thereof such as sodium alginate Techniques for formulation and administration can be found in “Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences.” Mack Publishing Co, Easton, Pa. The formulation can be selected to maximize delivery to a desired target site in the body.

Lotions, which are preparations that are to be applied to the skin surface without friction, are typically liquid or semi-liquid preparations in which finely divided solid, waxy, or liquid are dispersed. Lotions will typically contain suspending agents to produce better dispersions as well as compounds useful for localizing and holding the active agent in contact with the skin, e.g., methylcellulose, sodium carboxymethyl-cellulose, or the like.

Creams containing the active agent for delivery according to the present invention are viscous liquid or semisolid emulsions, either oil-in-water or water-in-oil. Cream bases are water-washable, and contain an oil phase, an emulsifier and an aqueous phase. The oil phase is generally comprised of petrolatum or a fatty alcohol, such as cetyl- or stearyl alcohol; the aqueous phase usually, although not necessarily, exceeds the oil phase in volume, and generally contains a humectant. The emulsifier in a cream formulation, as explained in Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, supra, is generally a nonionic, anionic, cationic or amphoteric surfactant.

Gel formulations can also be used in connection with the present invention. As will be appreciated by those working in the field of topical drug formulation, gels are semisolid. Single-phase gels contain organic macromolecules distributed substantially uniformly throughout the carrier liquid, which is typically aqueous, but also may be a solvent or solvent blend.

Ointments, which are semisolid preparations, are typically based on petrolatum or other petroleum derivatives. As will be appreciated by the ordinarily skilled artisan, the specific ointment base to be used is one that provides for optimum delivery for the active agent chosen for a given formulation, and, preferably, provides for other desired characteristics as well, e.g., emolliency or the like. As with other carriers or vehicles, an ointment base should be inert, stable, nonirritating and non-sensitizing. As explained in Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, 19th Ed. (Easton, Pa.: Mack Publishing Co., 1995), at pages 1399-1404, ointment bases may be grouped in four classes: oleaginous bases; emulsifiable bases; emulsion bases; and water-soluble bases. Oleaginous ointment bases include, for example, vegetable oils, fats obtained from animals, and semisolid hydrocarbons obtained from petroleum. Emulsifiable ointment bases, also known as absorbent ointment bases, contain little or no water and include, for example, hydroxystearin sulfate, anhydrous lanolin and hydrophilic petrolatum. Emulsion ointment bases are either water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions or oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions, and include, for example, cetyl alcohol, glyceryl monostearate, lanolin and stearic acid. Preferred water-soluble ointment bases are prepared from polyethylene glycols of varying molecular weight; again, reference may be had to Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, supra, for further information.

Useful formulations of the invention also encompass sprays. Sprays generally provide the active agent in an aqueous and/or alcoholic solution which can be misted onto the skin for delivery. Such sprays include those formulated to provide for concentration of the active agent solution at the site of administration following delivery, e.g., the spray solution can be primarily composed of alcohol or other like volatile liquid in which the drug or active agent can be dissolved. Upon delivery to the skin, the carrier evaporates, leaving concentrated active agent at the site of administration.

The topical pharmaceutical compositions may also comprise suitable solid or gel phase carriers. Examples of such carriers include but are not limited to calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, various sugars, starches, cellulose derivatives, gelatin, and polymers such as polyethylene glycols.

The topical pharmaceutical compositions may also comprise a suitable emulsifier which refers to an agent that enhances or facilitates mixing and suspending oil-in-water or water-in-oil. The emulsifying agent used herein may consist of a single emulsifying agent or may be a nonionic, anionic, cationic or amphoteric surfactant or blend of two or more such surfactants; preferred for use herein are nonionic or anionic emulsifiers. Such surface-active agents are described in “McCutcheon's Detergent and Emulsifiers,” North American Edition, 1980 Annual published by the McCutcheon Division, MC Publishing Company, 175 Rock Road, Glen Rock, N.J. 07452, USA. Preferred for use herein are high molecular weight alcohols such as cetearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, emulsifying wax, glyceryl monostearate. Other examples are ethylene glycol distearate, sorbitan tristearate, propylene glycol monostearate, sorbitan monooleate, sorbitan monostearate (SPAN 60), diethylene glycol monolaurate, sorbitan monopalmitate, sucrose dioleate, sucrose stearate (CRODESTA F-160), polyoxyethylene lauryl ether (BRIJ 30), polyoxyethylene (2) stearyl ether (BRIJ 72), polyoxyethylene (21) stearyl ether (BRIJ 721), polyoxyethylene monostearate (Myrj 45), polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate (TWEEN 60), polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate (TWEEN 80), polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate (TWEEN 20) and sodium oleate. Cholesterol and cholesterol derivatives may also be employed in externally used emulsions and promote w/o emulsions. Especially suitable nonionic emulsifying agents are those with hydrophile-lipophile balances (HLB) of about 3 to 6 for w/o system and 8 to 18 for o/w system as determined by the method described by Paul L. Lindner in “Emulsions and Emulsion”, edited by Kenneth Lissant, published by Dekker, New York, N.Y., 1974, pages 188-190. More preferred for use herein are one or more nonionic surfactants that produce a system having HLB of about 8 to about 18. Examples of such nonionic emulsifiers include but are not limited to “BRIJ 72”, the trade name for a polyoxyethylene (2) stearyl ether having an HLB of 4.9; “BRIJ 721”, the trade name for a polyoxyethylene (21) stearyl ether having an HLB of 15.5, “Brij 30”, the trade name for polyoxyethylene lauryl ether having an HLB of 9.7; “Polawax”, the trade name for emulsifying wax having an HLB of 8.0; “Span 60”, the trade name for sorbitan monostearate having an HLB of 4.7; “Crodesta F-160”, the trade name for sucrose stearate” having an HLB of 14.5. All of these materials are available from Ruger Chemicals Inc.; Croda; ICI Americas, Inc.; Spectrum Chemicals; and BASF. When the topical formulations of the present invention contain at least one emulsifying agent, each emulsifying agent is present in amount from about 0.5 to about 2.5 wt %, preferably 0.5 to 2.0%, more preferably 1.0% or 1.8%. Preferably the emulsifying agent comprises a mixture of steareth 21 (at about 1.8%) and steareth 2 (at about 1.0%).

The topical pharmaceutical compositions may also comprise suitable emollients. Emollients are materials used for the prevention or relief of dryness, as well as for the protection of the skin. Useful emollients include, but are not limited to, cetyl alcohol, isopropyl myristate, stearyl alcohol, and the like. A wide variety of suitable emollients are known and can be used herein. See e.g., Sagarin, Cosmetics, Science and Technology, 2nd Edition, Vol. 1, pp. 32-43 (1972), and U.S. Pat. No. 4,919,934, to Deckner et al., issued Apr. 24, 1990, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. These materials are available from Ruger Chemical Co, (Irvington, N.J.). When the topical formulations of the present invention contain at least one emollient, each emollient is present in an amount from about 0.1 to 15%, preferably 0.1 to about 3.0, more preferably 0.5, 1.0, or 2.5 wt %. Preferably the emollient is a mixture of cetyl alcohol, isopropyl myristate and stearyl alcohol in a 1/5/2 ratio. The emollient may also be a mixture of cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol in a 1/2 ratio.

The topical pharmaceutical compositions may also comprise suitable antioxidants, substances known to inhibit oxidation. Antioxidants suitable for use in accordance with the present invention include, but are not limited to, butylated hydroxytoluene, ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate, calcium ascorbate, ascorbic palmitate, butylated hydroxyanisole, 2,4,5-trihydroxybutyrophenone, 4-hydroxymethyl-2,6-di-tert-butylphenol, erythorbic acid, gum guaiac, propyl gallate, thiodipropionic acid, dilauryl thiodipropionate, tert-butylhydroquinone and tocopherols such as vitamin E, and the like, including pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters of these compounds. Preferably, the antioxidant is butylated hydroxytoluene, butylated hydroxyanisole, propyl gallate, ascorbic acid, pharmaceutically acceptable salts or esters thereof, or mixtures thereof. Most preferably, the antioxidant is butylated hydroxytoluene. These materials are available from Ruger Chemical Co, (Irvington, N.J.). When the topical formulations of the present invention contain at least one antioxidant, the total amount of antioxidant present is from about 0.001 to 0.5 wt %, preferably 0.05 to about 0.5 wt %, more preferably 0.1%.

The topical pharmaceutical compositions may also comprise suitable preservatives. Preservatives are compounds added to a pharmaceutical formulation to act as an antimicrobial agent. Among preservatives known in the art as being effective and acceptable in parenteral formulations are benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium, chlorohexidine, phenol, m-cresol, benzyl alcohol, methylparaben, propylparaben, chlorobutanol, o-cresol, p-cresol, chlorocresol, phenylmercuric nitrate, thimerosal, benzoic acid, and various mixtures thereof. See, e.g., Wallhausser, K.-H., Develop. Biol. Standard, 24:9-28 (1974) (S. Krager, Basel). Preferably, the preservative is selected from methylparaben, propylparaben and mixtures thereof. These materials are available from Inolex Chemical Co (Philadelphia, Pa.) or Spectrum Chemicals. When the topical formulations of the present invention contain at least one preservative, the total amount of preservative present is from about 0.01 to about 0.5 wt %, preferably from about 0.1 to 0.5%, more preferably from about 0.03 to about 0.15. Preferably the preservative is a mixture of methylparaben and proplybarben in a 5/1 ratio. When alcohol is used as a preservative, the amount is usually 15 to 20%.

The topical pharmaceutical compositions may also comprise suitable chelating agents to form complexes with metal cations that do not cross a lipid bilayer. Examples of suitable chelating agents include ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) and 8-Amino-2-[(2-amino-5-methylphenoxy)methyl]-6-methoxyquinoline-N₅N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid, tetrapotassium salt (QUIN-2). Preferably the chelating agents are EDTA and citric acid. These materials are available from Spectrum Chemicals. When the topical formulations of the present invention contain at least one chelating agent, the total amount of chelating agent present is from about 0.005% to 2.0% by weight, preferably from about 0.05% to about 0.5 wt %, more preferably about 0.1% by weight.

The topical pharmaceutical compositions may also comprise suitable basifying agents and buffers to adjust and maintain the pH of the formulation to a range of at least pH 8. When the topical formulations of the present invention contain at least one basifying or buffering agent, the total amount of agent present is from about 0.1 wt % to about 10 wt %, preferably 0.1 wt % to about 5.0 wt %, and more preferably about 1.0 wt %. The agent is generally added in whatever amount is required to bring the formulation to the desired pH.

The topical pharmaceutical compositions may also comprise suitable viscosity increasing agents. These components are diffusible compounds capable of increasing the viscosity of a polymer-containing solution through the interaction of the agent with the polymer. CARBOPOL ULTREZ 10 may be used as a viscosity-increasing agent. These materials are available from Noveon Chemicals, Cleveland, Ohio. When the topical formulations of the present invention contain at least one viscosity increasing agent, the total amount of viscosity increasing agent present is from about 0.25% to about 5.0% by weight, preferably from about 0.25% to about 1.0 wt %, and more preferably from about 0.4% to about 0.6% by weight.

The topical pharmaceutical compositions may also comprise one or more suitable solvents. The ability of any solid substance (solute) to dissolve in any liquid substance (solvent) is dependent upon the physical properties of the solute and the solvent. When solutes and solvents have similar physical properties the solubility of the solute in the solvent will be the greatest. This gives rise to the traditional understanding that “like dissolves like.” Solvents can be characterized in one extreme as non-polar, lipophilic oils, while in the other extreme as polar hydrophilic solvents. Oily solvents dissolve other non-polar substances by Van der WaI interactions while water and other hydrophilic solvents dissolve polar substances by ionic, dipole, or hydrogen bonding interactions. All solvents can be listed along a continuum from the least polar, i.e. hydrocarbons such as decane, to the most polar solvent being water. A solute will have its greatest solubility in solvents having equivalent polarity. Thus, for drugs having minimal solubility in water, less polar solvents will provide improved solubility with the solvent having polarity nearly equivalent to the solute providing maximum solubility. Most drugs have intermediate polarity, and thus experience maximum solubility in solvents such as propylene glycol or ethanol, which are significantly less polar than water. If the drug has greater solubility in propylene glycol (for example 8% (w/w)) than in water (for example 0.1% (w/w))₅ then addition of water to propylene glycol should decrease the maximum amount of drug solubility for the solvent mixture compared with pure propylene glycol. Addition of a poor solvent to an excellent solvent will decrease the maximum solubility for the blend compared with the maximum solubility in the excellent solvent.

When compounds are incorporated into topical formulations the concentration of active ingredient in the formulation may be limited by the solubility of the active ingredient in the chosen solvent and/or carrier. Non-lipophilic drugs typically display very low solubility in pharmaceutically acceptable solvents and/or carriers. For example, the solubility of some borinic acid complexes in water is less than 0.00025% wt/wt. The solubility of the same borinic acid complexes can be less than about 2% wt/wt in either propylene glycol or isopropyl myristate. In one embodiment of the present invention, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether (DGME) is the solvent used to dissolve the compounds of Formula I. The borinic acid complexes useful in the present formulation are believed to have a solubility of from about 10% wt/wt to about 25% wt/wt in DGME. In another embodiment a DGME water cosolvent system is used to dissolve the compounds of Formula I. The solvent capacity of DGME drops when water is added; however, the DGME/water cosolvent system can be designed to maintain the desired concentration of from about 0.1% to about 5% wt/wt active ingredient. Preferably the active ingredient is present from about 0.5% to about 3% wt/wt, and more preferably at about 1% wt/wt, in the as-applied topical formulations. Because DGME is less volatile than water, as the topical formulation evaporates upon application, the active agent becomes more soluble in the cream formulation. This increased solubility reduces the likelihood of reduced bioavailability caused by the drug precipitating on the surface of the skin.

Liquid forms, such as lotions suitable for topical administration or suitable for cosmetic application, may include a suitable aqueous or nonaqueous vehicle with buffers, suspending and dispensing agents, thickeners, penetration enhancers, and the like. Solid forms such as creams or pastes or the like may include, for example, any of the following ingredients, water, oil, alcohol or grease as a substrate with surfactant, polymers such as polyethylene glycol, thickeners, solids and the like. Liquid or solid formulations may include enhanced delivery technologies such as liposomes, microsomes, microsponges and the like. Additionally, the compounds can be delivered using a sustained-release system, such as semipermeable matrices of solid hydrophobic polymers containing the therapeutic agent. Various sustained-release materials have been established and are well known by those skilled in the art.

Topical treatment regimens according to the practice of this invention comprise applying the composition directly to the skin at the application site, from one to several times daily.

Formulations of the present invention can be used to treat, ameliorate or prevent conditions or symptoms associated with bacterial infections, acne, inflammation and the like.

The following are examples of the cosmetic and pharmaceutical agents that can be added to the topical pharmaceutical formulations of the present invention. The following agents are known compounds and are readily available commercially. Anti-inflammatory agents include, but are not limited to, bisaboloL mentholatum, dapsone, aloe, hydrocortisone, and the like. Vitamins include, but are not limited to, Vitamin B, Vitamin E, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, and the like and vitamin derivatives such as tazarotene, calcipotriene, tretinoin, adapalene and the like. Anti-aging agents include, but are not limited to, niacinamide, retinol and retinoid derivatives, AHA, Ascorbic acid, lipoic acid, coenzyme Q1O, beta hydroxy acids, salicylic acid, copper binding peptides, dimethylaminoethyl (DAEA), and the like. Sunscreens and or sunburn relief agents include, but are not limited to, PABA, jojoba, aloe, padimate-O, methoxycinnamates, proxamine HCl, lidocaine and the like. Sunless tanning agents include, but are not limited to, dihydroxyacetone (DHA). Anti-microbial agents include, but are not limited to, clotrimazole, miconazole nitrate, terbinafine HCL, triclosan, and the like. Psoriasis-treating agents and/or acne-treating agents include, but are not limited to, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, coal tar, selenium sulfide, zinc oxide, pyrithione (zinc and/or sodium), tazarotene, calcipotriene, tretinoin, adapalene and the like. Agents that are effective to control or modify keratinization, including without limitation: tretinoin, tazarotene, and adapalene.

The compositions comprising an active agent of Formula I, and optionally at least one of these additional agents, are to be administered topically. In a primary application, this leads to the boronic acid and any other active agent working upon and treating the skin. Alternatively, any one of the topically applied active agents may also be delivered systemically by transdermal routes. In such compositions an additional cosmetically or pharmaceutically effective agent, such as an anti-inflammatory agent, vitamin, anti-aging agent, sunscreen, anti-microbial agent, and/or acne-treating agent, for example, is usually a minor component (from about 0.001% to about 20% by weight or preferably from about 0.01% to about 10% by weight) with the remainder being various vehicles or carriers and processing aids helpful for forming the desired dosing form.

The invention is further described in the following examples. The examples are merely illustrative and do not in any way limit the scope of the invention as described and claimed.

Example 1 Stability in Low Water Dentifrice

The stability of a dentifrice formulation containing the active ingredient, 3-hydroxypyridine-2-carbonyloxy-bis(3-chloro-4-methylphenyl)-borane (COMPOUND 1), in a silica base is evaluated at different water levels. The formulations are as follows:

TABLE 1 0% added 6% added Component (% w/w) water water G series Demineralized water 6.0 31.367 99.0-101.0% vegetable 69.507 53.407 30.84 glycerin Dental type Silica - Zeodent 12 10 105 - high cleaning silica Dental type silica abrasive 8.5 (Zeodent 115) Dental type silica - Zeodent 8 12 114-synth. amorphous ppt silica Dental type silica - Zeodent 9 2.5 165-synth. amorphous ppt silica Tetrasodium pyrophosphate - 0.5 0.5 0.5 fine Sodium saccharin 0.3 0.3 COP Sodium saccharin 0.3 Sodium fluoride 0.243 0.243 0.243 Sucralose 0.15 0.15 0.15 Titanium dioxide 1 0.75 0.75 Carrageenan concentrate PS-223 0.4 Sodium CMC-12 1 Sodium CMC food grade 7MF 0.4 Poly(vinylpyrrolidone) 1 (Polyclar ® 10) Xanthan gum 0.3 0.5 Gantrez S-97 1.95 1.95 Sodium hydroxide 50% 1.2 1.2 solution Flavor K91-6507 1.3 1 1 Polyethylene glycol 300 6.25 6.72 6.72 Compound 1 0.75 0.75 0.75 Sodium Lauryl Sulfate powder 1.7 1.5 1.5 Sodium ascorbyl phosphate 0.2 0.2 Butylated hydroxytoluene 0.03 0.03 Vitamin E 0.5

Incorporating Compound 1 into low-water dentifrice enhances the stability of the active ingredient in comparison to dentifrice formulas with higher water content. These low water formula options exhibit antibacterial and anti-inflammatory efficacy in-vitro equivalent to a positive control, Colgate Total® with triclosan as antibacterial agent.

The difference in water levels among these formulations is significant. The G series has a water activity level (expressed as vapor pressure of water in sample over vapor pressure of free water at the same temperature) of 0.75, compared to 0.25 for the 6% water formulation, and 0.09 for the formulation with no added water. The stability of Compound 1 over time in the different formulations is shown in the following table:

TABLE 2 Initial 1 month CRT 1 month 40° C. 2 month CRT 2 month 40° C. Cp 1 F⁻ Cp 1 F⁻ Cp 1 F⁻ Cp 1 F⁻ Cp 1 F⁻ 6% added 0.72 1153 0.71 1077 0.70 1160 0.74 1215 0.68 1041 water (96%) ppm (94%) ppm (93%) ppm (99%) ppm (91%) ppm 0% added 0.67 1042 0.72 1131 0.68 1130 0.72 1160 0.61 1135 water (90%) ppm (96%) ppm (91%) ppm (96%) ppm (81%) ppm G-series 0.72 1144 0.74 1026 0.66 1076 0.71  880 0.51  990 (96%) ppm (99%) ppm (93%) ppm (99%) ppm (91%) ppm

The reduction in the water level in the dentifrice appears to have a positive impact on the stability of Compound 1 in the formulation. After two months aging at controlled room temperature and 40° C., there is less drop in the % recovery of Compound 1 in the 0% and 6% added water formulations than in the more conventional G-series formulation.

The stability of these formulations is also challenged by the addition of a 1:1 molar ratio of hydrogen peroxide to Compound 1. Formulations which are susceptible to degradation by hydrogen peroxide are less stable upon aging. For example, the G-series formula had a 59% Compound 1 recovery after three months at 40° C. and 35% recovery of Compound 1 after peroxide challenge while a more stable formula, used as a positive control in this experiment, exhibited 87% recovery after three months 40° C. and 85% recovery after challenge with peroxide. (Note: The positive control for this experiment was chemically stable but ineffective in in-vitro test). There is only a 1% drop in Compound 1 recovery in the 0% added water

formulation and a 10% drop in % recovery in the 6% added water formulation. Both formulations demonstrate significantly less degradation than the 44% drop in Compound 1 recovery observed in the G-series formula.

Based on the peroxide challenge experiment and the two months aging results, it can be concluded that reducing the level of water in the dentifrice enhances the stability of the active. The 0% and 6% added water formulations are tested in an assay measuring inhibition of growth of A. viscosus and shown to retain their antibacterial efficacy. The 0% added water formulation is also tested in an anti-inflammatory assay measuring induction of PGE2 and shown to be as effective as the positive control, Total® toothpaste with triclosan, with a value of <200 pg/ml PGE2 vs >1200 pg/ml for placebo control, and about 400 pg/ml for the G formulation.

Example 2 High pH Formulations

The stability of a dentifrice formulation containing the active ingredient, 3-hydroxypyridine-2-carbonyloxy-bis(3-chloro-4-methylphenyl)-borane (COMPOUND 1), in a silica base is evaluated at different water levels. It is found that the stability of COMPOUND 1 in dentifrice is dependent on the pH of the formula. Specifically, a significant increase in stability is observed when the pH of the dentifrice is increased from 7 to 9, without negative impact on the antibacterial or anti-inflammatory efficacy of the formulation.

The first formula base is referred to as the G-series and the second referred to as the low water formula, corresponding to the G-series and 6% added water formulations of the preceding example. The major difference between the two formulas is the level of added water. The G-series has about 32% added water while the low water formula has 6% added water. In both formulations the level of COMPOUND 1 is 0.75%. The pH is varied by adjusting the ratio of sodium hydroxide to glycerin in the formulations of the previous example to obtain dentifrices at pH 7, 8.5 and 9.

The results of COMPOUND 1 stability upon accelerated aging at 40° C. is shown in Table 2. For the G-series, the percentage of COMPOUND 1 recovery after three months of accelerated aging is nearly 30% greater in the pH 8.5 and pH 9 formulas when compared to the formula at pH 7. The same trend is also observed in the low water formula. These results demonstrate a marked improvement in COMPOUND 1 stability as a result of increasing the dentifrice pH. Although the pH is the major driver, the reduction in the water level also appears to have a positive impact on the stability of COMPOUND 1 in the formula.

After two months aging at controlled room temperature and 40° C. there is less drop in the % recovery of COMPOUND 1 in the 0% and 6% added water formulas than in the G-series formula:

TABLE 3 % COMPOUND 1 recovery after accelerated aging at 40° C. Initial 1 Month 2 Month 3 Month G - pH 7  90% 88% 68% 61% G - pH 8.5 108% 104%  96% 89% G - pH 9 100% 97% 97% 90% LW - pH 7  99% 93% 87% 63% LW - pH 8.5 103% 100%  96% 100%  LW - pH 9  97% 97% 92% 97%

To further investigate the effect of pH on COMPOUND 1 stability, a series of pastes are prepared having pH values ranging from 5.7 to 9. The pastes are aged at 60° C. for two weeks in order to quickly evaluate trends in formula stability as a function of pH. In the G-series, the percentage of COMPOUND 1 recovered decreases as the pH decreases from pH 9 to pH 7.5 but increases from pH 7 to pH 5.7. In the low water base, the percentage of COMPOUND 1 recovered decreases from pH 9 to pH 5.7. While the stability at acidic pH is different in the two formula bases, pH 9 results in the greatest percentage COMPOUND 1 recovery in both formulas. In addition, it was observed that the ratio of COMPOUND 1 isomers strongly depends on pH. At pH 9, COMPOUND 1 exists only in its nonpolar form and the amount of the polar rotamer increases as pH of the dentifrice decreases. A similar trend is observed in the liquid dentifrice.

FIG. 1 shows the percentage of COMPOUND 1 recovery after two weeks at 60° C. as a function of formula pH in the (a) G-series base and (b) the low water base.

As dentifrice contains many components, it is important to understand whether the observed relation between COMPOUND 1 stability and pH is dependent on a dentifrice ingredient or is simply the response of COMPOUND 1 to pH itself. Therefore, a study of the effect of pH on COMPOUND 1 is conducted in a simple solution of 50/50 acetonitrile/water. The result is shown in FIG. 2. In this study, a series of samples having pH from 9 to 6 were prepared and aged at 70° C. for one day. The solution at pH 9 had the highest percentage of COMPOUND 1 recovery. It was also observed that only the nonpolar isomer is present at pH 9 and the ratio of the nonpolar to polar rotamer decreases as the pH decreases, the same trend observed in dentifrice. These results indicate that the nonpolar rotamer of COMPOUND 1 is fundamentally less susceptible to degradation and the ratio of nonpolar to polar isomer is directly affected by pH. These results help to explain the observed increase in % COMPOUND 1 recovery in formulas at pH 9 and 8.5 compared to pH 7. Differences between the stability of COMPOUND 1 at lower pH in the two formula bases likely reflect the ability of formula ingredients to partially stabilize the polar rotamer.

FIG. 2 shows the percentage of COMPOUND 1 recovery in a 50/50 acetonitrile/water solution as a function of pH after 1 day at 70° C.

The anti-inflammatory effect of COMPOUND 1 does not appear to have been impacted by an increase in dentifrice pH. Both the G-series and low water formulas at pH 7 and 9 performed well in the suppression of the anti-inflammatory marker PGE2. The antibacterial effect of COMPOUND 1, as measured by growth inhibition of A. viscosus, is comparable to that of the pH 7 paste as well as commercial high quality toothpaste.

The uptake of COMPOUND 1 onto the hydroxyapatite (HAP) disk is significantly increased by the increase in pH. Although the release of COMPOUND 1 at pH 9 is only 29%, the quantity of COMPOUND 1 released by G-pH 7 and G-pH 9 formulas is equivalent.

Example 3 Efficacy of COMPOUND 1 in Inhibiting Oral Bacteria

The minimum inhibitory concentration for COMPOUND 1 against common oral bacteria is found to be as follows. Ethanol is used as vehicle.

TABLE 4 Bacterial Species ppm Gram Negative A. actinomycetemcomitans >15.6  F. nucleatum 1-2 P. gingivalis ≦0.12  P. intermedia 3.9-7.8 T. forsythia T. denticola V. parvula 7.8 Gram Positive A. naeslundii 1-2 A. viscosus 1   E. nodatum L. casei  2-3.9 S. gordonii ≦0.12-0.25  S. mutans 0.25-0.5  S. oralis ≦0.12-0.25  S. sanguinis 0.25-0.5  S. sobrinus ≦0.12-0.5   

Example 4 Solubilization of Compound 1

a. Solubilization in Copolymers of Ethylene Glycol and Propylene Glycol

The poor solubility of Compound A presents some formulation challenges. Its solubility in water is less than 100 ppm, and its solubility in flavor oils (often used to solubilize actives) is less than 0.5%. We have discovered that co-polymers of polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol are able to solubilize Compound 1. Fluraflo L4370 (BASF) is able to solubilize 1% Compound 1 (% w/w). It is necessary to stir the solution over low heat to fully solubilize the active. The resulting solution is cloudy, reflecting the nature of the Fluraflo L4370 itself. The solution of 1% Compound 1 in Fluraflo L4370 is diluted 1:1 with 1.5% SLS in water to produce a clear solution, composed of 0.5% AN0128, 0.75% SLS, 50% Fluraflo L4370 in water Similar results are achieved using Fluracare L1220.

The solution of 0.5% AN0128.0.75% SLS. 50% Fluraflo L4370 in water is then tested in a biofilm disruption assay. The percent reduction achieved versus the negative control is 65%, indicating that Compound 1 retains its antibacterial activity when solubilized in Fluraflo L4370.

b. Solubilization Using Tri-Block Co-Polymer

We also discovered that Tri-block Co-polymer Surfactant F127 is able to further enhance solubilization of Compound 1. In experimental liquid dentifrice formulas (Table 3), Compound 1 is not completely soluble over time, as evidenced by precipitation and crystallization over time. After the addition of 5% F127, experimental liquid dentifrice formulas (Table 4) remain clear. Therefore, Tri-block Co-polymer Surfactant F127 is able to further solubilize Compound 1 and is suitable for use in formulations.

TABLE 5 Experimental formulations without tri-block co-polymer A2 A3 Compound 1 0.6 0.6 PEG-300 12 12 Propylene glycol 10 10 Fluroflo L4370 10 10 Glycerin 10 SLS 1.5 1.5 H₂O 38 38 Total 72.1 72.1

TABLE 6 Experimental formulations with tri-block co-polymer A5 A6 Compound 1 0.6 0.6 PEG-300 11.4 11.4 Propylene glycol 10 10 Fluroflo L4370 10 10 Glycerin 10 SLS 1.5 1.5 H₂O 34 34 Pluronic F127 5 5 Total 72.5 72.5 c. Solubilization Using PEG

We further discovered that low molecular weight polyethylene glycol 300 (PEG 300) (Dow Chemical Company) solubilizes 10% Compound 1 (% w/w). It is necessary to stir the solution over low heat to fully solubilize the active. The resulting solution is clear with a slight yellow tint due to the color of Compound 1. We also discovered that PEG 600 can solubilize Compound 1. Therefore, we conclude that solvents containing oligomers and/or polymers of ethylene glycol are capable of solubilizing Compound 1 and are suitable for formulation.

A solution of 2% Compound 1 in PEG 300 is diluted 1:1 with 2% SLS in water to produce a solution composed of 1% Compound 1, 1% SLS, 50% PEG 300 in water which is then tested in a biofilm disruption assay. The percent reduction achieved versus the negative control is 76%, indicating that Compound 1 retains its antibacterial activity when solubilized in PEG 300.

The properties of Compound 1 in conjunction with other excipients are further evaluated by diluting a solution of Compound 1 in PEG 300 into other solvents such as propylene glycol and glycerin at varying ratios. A solution containing 1% Compound 1 in 19% PEG 300 and 80% propylene glycol is clear. This solution is then diluted 1:1 with 1% SLS in water to produce a solution composed of 0.5% Compound 1, 0.5% SLS, 9.5% PEG 300 and 40% propylene glycol in water which is then tested in the biofilm disruption assay. The percent reduction achieved versus the negative control is 80%. These results indicate that Compound 1 retains its antibacterial activity in the mixed solvent solution. Similar results are achieved with PEG and glycerin.

Example 5 Buffered Formulations

Two pH 7.2 formulations of Compound 1 are prepared, one with phosphate buffer, one without, and the decomposition of Compound 1 is measured over 14 days. While measurable decomposition is seen in both formulations, the slope of the rate of decomposition Compound 1 in the buffered formulation is decreased by 3.3 fold compared to that of the unbuffered formulation.

Example 6 Effect of Gantrez

Addition of Gantrez into liquid formulations of Compound 1 is shown to improve the activity of the compound in a biofilm assay. Compositions are prepared as follows:

TABLE 7 Liquid dentifrice ID G5 G7 Compound 1 0.5 0.5 BHT — 0.05 gantrez — 2 PEG 300 4.5 4.45 glycerin 20 20 flavor 1 1 SLS 1.5 1.5 NaF 0.24 0.24 Saccharin 0.3 0.3 Aq. Buffer, pH 7.0 48.5 46.5 Total 76.54 76.54

We measure the activity of these dentifrices against biofilm formation by A. viscosus an organism that we have found to be relatively resistant to Compound 1 compared to many other biofilm-forming bacteria. G7 has very good efficacy, inhibiting the biofilm in this assay to the same extent as commercial Total® toothpaste with triclosan, whereas G5 is only slightly better than the control. Thus the addition of Gantrez (methyl vinyl ether-maleic acid copolymer or PVM/MA copolymer) significantly increases the activity of Compound A against biofilm formation by A. viscosus.

Example 7 Optimization of Dentifrice

Table 8 shows three silica-based toothpaste formulations comprising Compound 1, component amounts given as % w/w, water adjusted to compensate for difference in glycerin level:

G H I Compound 1 0.75 0.75 0.75 Sodium fluoride 0.243 0.243 0.243 99.0-101.0% 30.84 20.84 40.84 vegetable glycerin Demineralized water qs qs qs Gantrez S-97 15 15 15 Dental type Silica - 10 10 10 Zeodent 105 - high cleaning silica Dental type silica 8.5 8.5 8.5 abrasive (Zeodent 115) Polyethylene glycol 6.72 6.72 6.72 300 Dental type silica - 2.5 2.5 2.5 Zeodent 165-synth. amorphous ppt silica Sodium Lauryl 1.5 1.5 1.5 Sulfate powder Sodium hydroxide 1.2 1.2 1.2 50% solution Sodium CMC-12 1.0 1.0 1.0 Flavor K91-6507 1.0 1.0 1.0 Titanium dioxide 0.75 0.75 0.75 Tetrasodium 0.5 0.5 0.5 pyrophosphate - fine Xanthan gum 0.5 0.5 0.5 Sodium saccharin 0.3 0.3 0.3 Sodium ascorbyl 0.2 0.2 0.2 phosphate or dl-α- tocopherol Sucralose 0.15 0.15 0.15 Butylated 0.03 0.03 0.03 hydroxytoluene

These formulations are measured for inhibition of grown of A. viscosus over 24 hours, growth being measured as optical density at 610 nm. The value after 24 hrs for water or formulation G without Compound 1 was >1.4, compared to <0.2 for formulation G with Compound 1. This shows very good efficacy against this organism, as good or better than the positive control, commercial Total® toothpaste with triclosan. Similarly, in a multispecies biofilm assay, the CFU mean for formulation G and for Total® 0 was <2 (SD 0) compared to 1.1×10⁹ (SD 1.5×10⁸), showing that toothpaste containing Compound 1 is capable of inhibiting biofilm formation.

Example 8 Use of Chelating Agent

It is observed that a silica-based dentifrice quickly changes color from white to yellow upon addition of 0.25-1% of Compound 1 in the final step of the formulation. This color change is observed with or without presence of an antioxidant, such as butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), vitamin E or vitamin C. The addition of a small amount of a metal chelating agent, however, returns the dentifrice to its original white color. Chelating agents effective for this purpose include 0.5% Tetrasodium pyrophosphate (TSPP), as well as tetrapotassium pyrophosphate, ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid, ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid, sodium pyrophosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate, potassium tripolyphosphate, sodium hexamephosphate, and citric acid.

Example 9 Use of Antioxidants

Borinic esters can be oxidized by molecular oxygen or peroxides that can be formed from ethers such as PEG by the action of oxygen in the air. These highly oxidative species can attack the carbon-boron bond leading to cleavage and formation of corresponding boronic acid derivatives and phenol derivatives. The oxidation products are then inactive. Addition of oxygen scavengers and/or antioxidants such as vitamins C (ascorbic acid), vitamin E (α-tocopherol) or 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methyl-phenol (butylated hydroxytoluene or BHT) eliminates the oxygen and reduces the peroxides already present in the formulation. The amount of antioxidant does not need to exceed the amount of borinic ester used in a given formulation.

The stability of three formulations of Compound 1 are compared, the formulations being identical except that one is without any antioxidants, one contains α-tocopherol, and the third contains sodium ascorbylphosphate. Decomposition of formula I is significantly reduced the formulation containing sodium ascorbylphosphate, and is even less in the formulation containing α-tocopherol. This demonstrates that the use of an antioxidant enhances the stability of Compound 1 in formulation. 

1. A topical composition having a pH of at least 8, or buffered to provide a pH of at least 7, comprising a compound of formula A:

wherein R₁ and R₂ are the same or different, and are selected from aralkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, or heterocycle; and R₃ is hetetoaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylcarbonyl, or heteroarylalkylcarbonyl, in free or pharmaceutically acceptable salt form; in combination or association with an orally or topically acceptable carrier.
 2. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the compound of Formula A is a compound of Formula (I)

wherein R* and R** are independently substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, or substituted or unsubstituted heterocycle; z is 0 or 1, with the proviso, that if z is 1, then A is CR¹⁰ or N, and D is N or CR¹², and with the further proviso that if z is 0 then D is O, S or NR^(12a); E is hydrogen, hydroxy, alkoxy, (cycloalkyl)oxy, (cycloheteroalkyl)oxy, carboxy, or alkyloxycarbonyl; m is 0 or 1; R¹² is hydrogen, hydroxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl, dialkylaminoalkyl, carboxy, alkyloxycarbonyl, amido, hydroxy, alkoxy, aryloxy, thio, alkylthio, arylthio, alkylsulfonyl, dialkylaminosulfonyl, alkylaminosulfonyl, aminosulfonyl, sulfo, cyano, halo, nitro, amino, dialkylamino, alkylamino, arylamino, diarylamino, aralkylamino, or diaralkylamino; R^(12a) is hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, or substituted or unsubstituted heterocycle; and R⁹ and R¹⁰ are independently hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl, dialkylaminoalkyl, halo, carbonyl, hydroxyimino, carboxy, alkyloxycarbonyl, alkylthio, alkylsulfonyl, arylthio, dialkylaminosulfonyl, alkylaminosulfonyl, aminosulfonyl, amino, alkoxy, nitro, sulfo, or hydroxy; in free or pharmaceutically acceptable salt form.
 3. The composition of claim 1 comprising 3-hydroxypyridine-2-carbonyloxy-bis(3-chloro-4-methylphenyl)-borane.
 4. The composition of claim 1 further comprising a buffer.
 5. The composition of claim 11 further comprising arginine in free or pharmaceutically acceptable salt form.
 6. The composition of claim 1 further comprising an antioxidant.
 7. The composition of claim 1 further comprising a solubilizing agent.
 8. The composition of claim 1 further comprising a chelator.
 9. A composition according to claim 1 having a pH of at least 8 comprising an antibacterially effective amount of a compound of Formula (A); an antioxidant in an amount effective to inhibit the oxidation of the compound of Formula (A); a solubilizing agent; and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 10. The composition of claim 1 wherein the compound of formula (A) is present in an amount of 0.05% to 20% by weight.
 11. The composition of claim 1 wherein the antioxidant is selected from ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbyl phosphate, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), alpha tocopherol, citric acid, or a mixture thereof.
 12. The composition of claim 1 wherein the solubilizing agent is a nonionic surfactant.
 13. The composition of claim 1 having a pH of 8.5-10.
 14. The composition of claim 1 in the form of a dentifrice, comprising an orally acceptable carrier, wherein the orally acceptable carrier comprises water and a humectant.
 15. The composition of claim 1 wherein the compound of Formula A is in aqueous solution.
 16. The composition of claim 4 wherein the buffer is a phosphate buffer.
 17. The composition of claim 14, further comprising a fluoride ion source and an abrasive.
 18. A method for preparing a topical composition according to claim 1 comprising mixing a compound of Formula A with an orally or topically acceptable carrier and adjusting or maintaining the pH at a level of at least
 7. 19. A method to reduce, inhibit, or treat oral microbial infections comprising applying the composition of claim 1 to the oral cavity of a patient in need thereof.
 20. A method to reduce or inhibit formation of dental caries, to treat, reduce or inhibit gingivitis, to reduce levels of oral bacteria, to inhibit microbial biofilm formation in the oral cavity, to reduce plaque accumulation, and/or clean the teeth and oral cavity, comprising applying a composition according to claim 1 to the teeth and gums of a subject in need thereof.
 21. A topical composition according to claim 1, suitable for application to the skin or nails, having a pH of at least 8, or buffered to at least pH 7, comprising an antibacterially effective amount of a compound of Formula (A); an antioxidant in an amount effective to inhibit the oxidation of the compound of Formula (A); a solubilizing agent; and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 22. The composition of claim 21 wherein the compound of formula (A) is present in an amount of 0.05% to 20% by weight.
 23. The composition of claim 21 wherein the antioxidant is selected from ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbyl phosphate, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), alpha tocopherol, citric acid, or a mixture thereof.
 24. The composition of claim 21 wherein the solubilizing agent is a nonionic surfactant.
 25. The composition of claim 21 having a pH of 8.5-10.
 26. The composition of claim 21 in the form of a topical cream, gel, spray or ointment.
 27. The composition of claim 21 in the form of an antimicrobial soap, shampoo, or hand wash.
 28. A method for preparing a topical composition of claim 21 comprising mixing a compound of Formula A with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and adjusting or maintaining the pH at a level of at least
 7. 29. A method to reduce, inhibit, or treat topical microbial infections comprising applying the composition of claim 21 to the skin of a patient in need thereof.
 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the condition to be treated is selected from acne, superficial skin infections, minor cuts, pathogen colonization, and inflammatory skin conditions. 